Latest news with #FireTVStickHD
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Amazon offers new reason to ditch your Fire TV Stick and try something better
A new sale event from Amazon is giving Fire TV Stick fans the chance to upgrade to something better for less. If your current Fire TV Stick is starting to feel a little tired and outdated, now could be a very good time to ditch it and try something totally new. Amazon is currently holding a surprise sale event with a slew of tech products - including speakers, earbuds and Kindles - slashed in price. However, some of the most eye-catching discounts can be found on Amazon's full range of Fire TV Sticks with things slashed to just £29.99. Perhaps the best offer is a cost cut on the firm's most premium streaming stick with the 4K Max now priced at £49.99 - that's £20 off the usual cost. For those not in the know, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max features a fast processor, access to 4K Ultra HD visuals and Wi-Fi 6E, which helps improve streaming and stops annoying stuttering. This Fire device also comes packed with the exclusive Ambient Experience. This can turn your TV screen into an ever-changing work of art with thousands of pictures to choose from. You can even use this function to add reminders, sticky notes, and weather widgets to the TV's display. It's worth noting that this latest Fire TV Stick Max deal isn't the cheapest price we've ever seen, but it's still a very good deal, especially for those wanting something with some bonus features. If that sounds a bit pricey, there are two other options. Amazon has also reduced the cost of the Fire TV Stick 4K, which offers Ultra HD access, plus there's also money off the standard Fire TV Stick HD. Amazon says that all of its Fire TV deals are only available for a limited time. YOU CAN SEE THE OFFERS BELOW Fire TV Stick HD • NOW £29.99 - SAVE £10The Fire TV Stick HD is Amazon's basic streamer. It offers 1080p HD video playback but there's no access to pin-sharp 4K. You do get full Alexa controls via the bundled remote and you can also launch apps such as Netflix with the touch of a button. Fire TV Stick 4K • NOW £39.99 - SAVE £20The Fire TV Stick 4K does exactly what it says on the tin. This device able to stream content to TVs in glorious Ultra HD 4K quality. That means users will be treated to a pin-sharp image when watching the latest blockbusters or bingeing on box sets. Fire TV Stick 4K Max • NOW £49.99 - SAVE £20If you want the ultimate way to stream then grab the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. This top-notch device is not only Ultra HD 4K compatible but is also faster and more reliable thanks to an improved processor, extra storage and Wi-Fi 6E technology. You also get the exclusive Ambient Experience which turns the screen into a work of art. SEE THE DEAL HERE If you'd rather shop elsewhere, Argos and Currys also have money off these devices as well and they seem to proving popular with Argos confirming that are "in demand" and "selling fast".
Business Mayor
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Mayor
Amazon confirms another reason to ditch your Fire TV Stick and try something new
It's been a little while since Amazon has offered a decent deal on its popular Fire TV Sticks, but now the online retailer is back with another big discount on these devices. Over the bank holiday weekend, customers have been able to bag some very decent bargains with all of Amazon's telly streaming gadgets currently dropped in price, including the ultimate Fire TV Stick Max. This more premium device features a swathe of upgrades including improved streaming thanks to fast Wi-Fi 6E technology, full compatibility with 4K content, more internal storage for app and games plus it features a faster processor. This Fire Stick also has exclusive access to the Ambient Experience which can turn your TV screen into an ever changing work of art. You can also use this function to add reminders, sticky notes and weather widgets to the display. The 4K Max usually costs £69.99 but that cost of been dropped to just £49.99 – that's £20 saving. SEE THE MAX DEAL HERE It's worth noting that this isn't the cheapest price we've ever seen but it's still a very good deal. If that sounds a bit pricey, there are two other options. Amazon has also reduced the cost of the Fire TV Stick 4K and there's also money off the Fire TV Stick HD which is now priced at £29.99. Amazon says that all of its Fire TV deals are only available for a limited time. YOU CAN SEE THE OFFERS BELOW If you'd rather shop elsewhere, Argos and Currys also have money off these devices as well and they seem to proving popular with Argos confirming that are 'in demand' and 'selling fast'. Read More Sony is back with new WH-1000XM6 heaphones that sound impressive Fire TV Stick HD • NOW £29.99 – SAVE £10The Fire TV Stick HD is Amazon's basic streamer. It offers 1080p HD video playback which is fine for most people but there's no access to pin-sharp 4K. So, there's no Ultra HD content but you do get full Alexa controls via the bundled remote. You can also launch apps such as Netflix with the touch of a button. SEE THE DEAL HERE
Tom's Guide
21-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Some Fire TV devices are about to lose Netflix — see if you're affected
Fire TV streaming devices are great. They're consistently among the best streaming devices and come loaded with features and apps for all the best streaming services. They're so good that you might still use some old versions of Amazon's streaming devices. If you are, then Netflix might have bad news for you. In an email to select subscribers, Netflix announced that it was ending support for first-generation Fire TV streaming media players (h/t Heise). "According to our usage data," the email begins, "you have used Netflix on a first-generation Fire TV streaming media player in the past 12 months. Netflix will discontinue support for these streaming media players on June 2, 2025." First, let's get into the bad news. If you have a first-generation Fire TV streaming box or a first-generation Fire TV Stick, including models with voice remotes, you're going to lose the ability to watch Netflix starting June 2. The good news is that these devices are old. They launched in 2014 and lost software and security update support from Amazon years ago (Amazon only guarantees support for devices for four years from their date of sale). So chances are, you either aren't using these devices anymore, or you had some idea this day could come. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Unfortunately, if you are still using your first-gen Fire TV devices, there's nothing you can do to avoid Netflix ending support for your version of its Fire TV OS app. You'll need to buy a new streaming device if you want to keep watching Netflix. That might be a blessing in disguise, though. Right now, every new Fire TV streaming stick is on sale, so there's never been a better time to upgrade. To replace your old first-gen Fire TV, you could go with the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD. Right now, you can get it at Amazon for $19.99, which is 43% off the list price. At $19, the Fire TV Stick HD is a bargain. If you don't have a 4K television, it's an affordable way to access all your favorite streaming services and even comes with a voice-controlled remote. If you have a 4K TV, opt for the 4K Max model instead. The Fire TV Stick HD will give you everything you had with your first-generation Fire TV device and more, but if you're looking for an upgrade, you could go with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K instead. Right now, you can get it at Amazon for $19.99, which is 40% off the list price. Or get a serious upgrade and get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $39.99. It's pricier, but it's the Fire TV Stick I use and the one I recommend to anyone with a 4K TV. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Roku reveals two new Fire Stick rivals that are cheaper and loaded with hundreds of free TV channels to watch instantly
ROKU has unveiled a brand new duo of streaming devices - and they're cheaper than their Amazon Fire Stick rival. Both of Roku's fresh Streaming Sticks provide access to the biggest apps around, as well as some hidden gems packed with free TV and channels to watch instantly. Advertisement 3 Roku says it has improved the Wi-Fi connectivity on its new sticks Credit: Roku 3 New sticks are also slimmer Credit: Roku The Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus replace the existing Roku Express and Roku Express Cheapest of the bunch is the Roku Streaming Stick at £29.99 / $29.99, costing less than Amazon's equivalent, the Fire TV Stick HD which currently retails for £39.99 / $34 . 99 . This entry-level HD model has some key changes, such as improved Wi-Fi connectivity so you're less likely to have buffering issues that interrupt your favourite shows. And for the first time at this price point for Roku you'll get a voice-enabled remote control too so you can easily find content faster, as well as change the volume and power on the TV. Advertisement Read more about Roku For those who want the best picture quality, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus brings you 4K and vivid HDR colour. It costs £10 / $10 more, totalling £39.99 / $39.99. The streaming gadget giant also claims that its sticks are among the most compact around, coming in at 35 per cent smaller than rivals "without compromising performance or speed". Both devices are powered directly by the TV so you will have less annoying cables hanging around too. Advertisement Most read in Tech These new products will offer access to the same selection of content, which includes a load of free services. Roku has its own offering called The Roku Channel, which includes a number of originals and "premium entertainment". Others worth checking out include Pluto TV, Plex and Tubi. Tubi Lands in the UK: Free Streaming with 20,000+ Titles Pluto TV Pluto TV is owned by Paramount and with it comes the company's wealth of films and TV shows. Advertisement In the UK, you can watch hits such as South Park, In the US, Pluto TV has a range of channels too showing movies, much-loved comedy including Cheers and Frasier, Daria, as well as early episodes of Brit classic Doctor Who. Plex Plex also offers a number of free channels to watch instantly. In the UK, the channels include Tennis, Mystery TV, Ghost Hunters Channel, Mr Bean and Homes Under The Hammer. Advertisement In the US, you can watch NFL, MythBusters, movies from Miramax, Real Housewives and WWE on CW. Tubi Tubi is home to big name Hollywood movies - and you don't need to sign up to watch. Hits in the UK, include Anger Management, Robin Hood, In Time, The Cabin in the Wood and Pineapple Express. In the US, you can watch Sausage Party, Rush Hour, Scary Movie and The Lego Movie. Advertisement 3 New devices are available in June Credit: Roku SWAP YOUR STREAMS TO SAVE! Here's some bill-slashing advice from The Sun's tech editor If you're like me, you'll be paying out more than you'd like on subscriptions each month. It's easy to lose track of where all the money goes, and the fear of missing out makes it hard to bin Netflix. But if you're paying for several streaming services, you're making a big mistake. Instead, try something called stream swapping. Cancel all of your TV subscriptions except for Netflix, then burn through all of the telly you want to watch on the app. Then cancel that and sign up for another service, like Disney+. Watch all of the good stuff there and then move on, perhaps to Amazon Video. Do this with three or four apps and then cycle back to Netflix at the start. This way, you get to watch all of the top content on each app but you're not paying for them all at the same time. And you might even get to take advantage of some attractive sign-up offers too. It could save you hundreds each year if you stick to it.
Telegraph
21-03-2025
- Telegraph
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD review: A great streamer for older TVs
This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service. What is the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD? The term smart TV is something of a misnomer these days, as it's hard to buy a television without smart features. Despite this, streaming devices – which started off as a way to make normal TVs smarter – have proven rather successful and none more so than Amazon's Fire TV Stick. To get one thing out of the way, the 2024 Fire TV Stick HD isn't as new as it appears. If you look at Amazon's own specs comparison chart, it's the same hardware as in the 2020 Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, right down to the processor and memory. It's a process of rebranding and simplifying a complicated lineup and all you really need to know is that the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is now Amazon's entry-level TV streaming stick. If you own either of the 2020 TV Sticks, there's no need to upgrade, unless you're a sucker for new packaging. If you want to add features to an old non-4K TV, however, it's hard to argue with the value that Amazon offers with the Fire TV Stick HD. For £39.99, you can add the likes of Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Prime Video, Now TV, BBC iPlayer and Disney Plus to your set, with support for HDR and an Alexa-enabled remote for finding content with your voice. That's a pretty compelling offer, even if selling the product as something new and exciting is a touch disingenuous. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, independent, real-world testing will always help you find the best product for you. No manufacturer ever sees copy before publication and we do not accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. How we test streaming devices The only way to test streaming devices is to plug them in and use them to stream the best TV shows. Rather than getting lost in the plot, however, we're diligently taking mental notes on everything from ease of setup to the range of supported apps and looking out for glaring omissions. If there are voice controls, we test them too, assessing not only what they can do, but how well they understand us. Crucially, with most TVs now having built-in apps, we want to see an improved experience on dedicated hardware, whether it's in speed, usability or app availability. With the best streaming devices selling for under £40, we also consider relative value. As for my qualifications, I've been reviewing consumer technology for over a decade, so have plenty of experience assessing the merits of a full range of streaming devices. Design and setup: 9/10 With Fire TV, Amazon has adopted a say-what-you-see approach. While the Fire TV Cube is a cube, the Fire TV Stick HD is a rigid rectangle that you plug directly into a spare HDMI port on your television. It is, quite literally, a stick. Sadly, it's not quite as simple as that. It requires more power than can be drawn from HDMI itself, so has a Micro-USB connection for power. A cable and plug is supplied and you'll need to use the latter, as the USB port on your TV won't have the power this device needs. The Fire TV Stick HD is not much to look at and the stick shape has a rather long profile if you've wall-mounted your TV. But there is an extender cable in the box, if you need flexibility in how you connect the stick to your TV. Amazon has made a virtue of easy set-up processes and it's the same story here. Once plugged in, the TV will guide you through the process of connecting to Wi-Fi and logging in. It will even update it to the latest version and help you find popular apps you might enjoy, making the setup process a doddle. Connectivity: 7/10 The only physical connection on the Fire TV Stick HD is the Micro-USB port used for power. Given that USB-C has been available for over a decade now, Fire TV still using Micro-USB in 2025 is a bit of a head scratcher, but it's not a problem when Amazon provides the cable in the box and all you use it for is power. The lack of an Ethernet port means you'll be relying on Wi-Fi, although you can buy an Ethernet adapter if you'd rather have a wired connection. The Fire TV Stick HD supports Wi-Fi 5, a slightly older standard than you'll find on the Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max models. In reality, this doesn't make a huge difference so long as you have good strong Wi-Fi at home. It also supports Bluetooth to connect to speakers, headphones and video game controllers, should you want to explore the app library beyond streaming. Because the remote has Alexa built-in, you can also use the Fire TV Stick HD to control elements of your smart home, in the same way you would via an Amazon Echo. In other words, you can use the same voice commands to control your smart lights and plugs and even bring up a live link to your Ring Video Doorbell if you have one. This is a useful feature, but because the Fire TV Stick's Alexa implementation is triggered via a button on the remote rather than a wake word, it's not always listening like the Echo speakers are. There are pros and cons to this, but it does mean it's only useful for smart controls when you're in front of the TV. Usability and features: 7/10 The biggest downside of the Fire TV Stick HD is right there in the name: it only offers HD, or high definition, picture quality. That means it can only give you HD pictures and no more. In a world where many people have a 4K TV, with 2160p resolution, that's a clear drawback, as this model of the Fire TV Stick won't be able to deliver all the picture detail that 4K offers. It's true that for an older or smaller TV that only supports HD or 1080p resolution, you're missing nothing at all. But it does offer support for high dynamic range (HDR) formats including HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. If your TV supports those features (and some small televisions do support HDR), then you'll get better quality pictures as a result. It also supports Dolby Digital audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, which can provide more immersive soundtracks, so long as you have speakers or a soundbar to support it. I tried the Fire TV Stick HD on both a 65-inch 4K TV and an older 43-inch HD model with no native smart features. Picture quality was good on both, with no noticeable judder on a fast internet connection. But on the 4K TV – an LG OLED model – I could see that it wasn't as high quality as you'd get from the Fire TV Stick 4K. The processor in the Fire TV Stick HD is showing its age and while using it is generally smooth enough, occasional slowdown while navigating the menus is noticeable. Crucially, that's only an issue when looking for content, rather than playing it and it's still a smoother and more responsive experience than many TVs' built-in software. The Fire TV Stick HD has 8GB of onboard storage, which is the same as the 4K model. Given it's not designed to run your video files directly from the Stick, this is plenty, as streaming apps don't take up too much space. You're only likely to run into problems if you decide to explore the Amazon app store's collection of apps and games. Voice controls: 8/10 The Fire TV Stick HD remote is comfortable and easy to navigate via the buttons and circular navigation pad, but the addition of Alexa voice controls is very nice indeed. Holding down the blue microphone button at the top will have the remote control listening and you can quickly use that for all kinds of things. Some of these are worse than using the buttons: pausing a movie, for example, requires one press of a button on the remote, as opposed to holding down the Alexa button and then giving spoken instructions. But others are definitely better with Alexa. Rather than navigating all the menus looking for something you might enjoy, you can just ask Alexa to show you freshly added movies or TV shows, or even to highlight content featuring a specific actor. That sure beats painstakingly typing 'Zach Galifianakis' with an on-screen keyboard. It's not perfect, though. As an example, it managed to find Tom Hanks films and correctly located Arrested Development on Netflix but it stumbled when I asked about who's in the show, unaccountably informing me of films at local cinemas instead. To be fair, this isn't in the list of supported commands, but it highlights the limits of Alexa: it works brilliantly without you having to look up phrases to try, until it doesn't. Indeed, 'open NowTV' brought up three unrelated apps: AgNow TV for agricultural news, RightNowTV and Faith Life Now. That's baffling when NowTV was already installed on my Stick. Apps and streaming services: 9/10 The range of streaming options on the Fire TV Stick HD is extensive and you're unlikely to be left disappointed unless there's something obscure that you're looking for. BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITVX, Channel 5, YouTube, Disney Plus, Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Paramount Plus, Now TV and more are all available to install. The only absence I could see was Google Play Movies and TV, but you can play content purchased there through the YouTube app, so you're not missing anything. Of course, for Amazon, the main event is its own Prime Video service. That's the only bugbear you can have with Fire TV as a platform in 2025: the whole interface is set up to serve up Amazon's own content with rows and rows of Prime Video shows. Other apps, though searchable via the Alexa voice remote, don't get the same level of promotion, making something powered by the more platform-agnostic Google TV better for those who subscribe to multiple streamers and want some guidance over what to watch. Technical specifications: The obvious comparison point for the Fire TV Stick HD is Amazon's own Fire TV Stick 4K. Should you fork out for 4K? Naturally, the biggest difference is its ability to output content at 2160p resolution, though it also offers 7.1 surround sound, Dolby Vision, support for Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor and more RAM. It's £20 more, but is worth it if you have a TV with a 4K screen. Telegraph verdict: 8/10 Judged on its own terms, it's hard to fault the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD. Even if it is the same hardware from 2020 which means it could be snappier in use, in terms of content and usability, it doesn't put a foot wrong. The sheen only comes off when you look at the wider picture. The 4K version is only £20 more and adds support for Dolby Vision and the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard. If you're looking for a streamer for an HD TV, then this is a great product to go for, but it simply doesn't make sense to cut this corner if you have a 4K TV like the vast majority of televisions that will be sold in 2025. FAQs What apps are available? The Fire TV Stick has over 20,000 apps and games available to download of variable quality. Suffice it to say that includes all the television big hitters you'd expect, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Now TV, Paramount Plus and many more. It also includes music players like Spotify. Can you use the Fire TV Stick HD without an Amazon account? No. An Amazon account is required to set up the Fire TV Stick, though you don't need Prime or a subscription to Prime Video. Does the Fire TV Stick HD support Alexa voice commands? Yes, you can use Alexa to search for shows and launch them via the Alexa Voice Remote. Just press the blue microphone button and Alexa will listen. What internet speed is required for the Fire TV Stick HD? Amazon doesn't specify a minimum connection speed for its Fire TV Stick HD, though it recommends at least 15Mbps for the 4K model. The general consensus is that users will need speeds of at least 5Mbps to make using the HD version a smooth experience. Does the Amazon remote replace my TV remote?
